If you’re a vegetarian or just trying to eat less meat, you’ll love these high protein vegetarian snacks! They’re a great way to up your daily protein intake and stay energized throughout the day. Of course, they’re delicious, too!
Even if you aren’t vegetarian, these meatless snacks are tasty, nutritious, and easy to make.
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Healthy Vegetarian Snacks with Protein
Good news: vegetarian snacks can be just as filling as snacks with meat (or eggs – which I’ve left out of this round up just so we can mix it up)! In fact, all these snacks are packed with nutrients and flavor.
From no bake protein balls to chia pudding and avocado hummus, there’s something in this list for any type of snack craving.
But first, let’s talk about where the protein is coming from!
Protein Sources for Vegetarians
For vegetarians (or those who just want to eat less meat), it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough protein in your diet. Fortunately, there are lots of meatless protein sources, from plant-based proteins to dairy and grains.
Here are some healthy vegetarian protein sources:
- legumes (black beans, kidney beans, white beans, chickpeas/garbanzo beans, peas, lentils, etc.)
- nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, etc.) & their nut butter
- dairy (cheese, Green yogurt, etc.)
- quinoa
- oats (yep, oats contain protein in addition to carbs!)
- seeds (chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, etc.)
- eggs (again, I left egg recipes out of this round up as I figure it’s nice to have some variety because eggs are usually a staple in vegetarian diets already!)
Like I said, there are lots of options to choose from! And now, onto the high protein vegetarian snack ideas.
For more meal inspiration, check out this roundup of delicious and nutritious chickpea recipes!
Nutty Protein Granola Bars
Granola bars are super easy to make at home, and this particular recipe features lots of goodness like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, oats, peanut butter, and more. They’re crunchy, chewy, and packed with flavor.
These nutty protein granola bars make a fabulous on-the-go snack, and they’re great for kids! You can throw in some chocolate chips, too, if that’s your thing. 🙂
Coconut Banana Chia Pudding
If you haven’t tried chia pudding, you’re in for a treat! It’s super creamy and tastes like dessert, but without any refined sugar. You can add any toppings you like, too, such as raspberries and flaked coconut.
This recipe combines naturally sweet banana with creamy coconut milk, plus a splash of maple syrup for a little extra sweetness. It’s dairy free, gluten free, and vegan, so everyone can enjoy it!
I love chia pudding as a simple snack, but it makes a great light breakfast as well, especially since you can prep it the night before!
No Bake Peanut Butter Snack Balls
Bliss balls are the best make ahead snack to have on hand whenever you need a little energy boost! These peanut butter oat balls are easy to make, with no baking needed.
They’re packed with chia seeds and dried cranberries, with a touch of honey for added sweetness. Feel free to swap out the dried cranberries for another dried fruit, or even chocolate chips!
Avocado White Bean Hummus
Imagine if hummus and guacamole had a baby. Behold: this avocado white bean hummus dip!
It’s creamy and healthy, with a bright lemony flavor. Plus, it comes together in minutes.
Enjoy it with seedy crackers, crunchy veggies, crusty bread, or even spread it on a sandwich or wrap.
Sweet Potato Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
Looking to switch up your smoothie game? Try this spiced sweet potato smoothie!
You can make it with canned sweet potato puree (frozen into cubes for an extra thick smoothie), or you can roast/microwave a sweet potato, mash it, and freeze it.
Flax seed and creamy Greek yogurt bulk up the protein content, and frozen sweet potato (plus warm spices and banana) add extra flavor.
Peanut Butter Granola Bars (No Bake)
These homemade peanut butter granola bars are an original fANNEtastic food favorite that go way back to the early days of the blog (2009!).
One of the long standing most popular recipes on my blog, these bars are not only delicious, but also super easy to make (5 to 10 minutes!), and perfect for something healthy to grab while on the go — whether it be at work, school, or the great outdoors.
They’re crunchy, salty, a little sweet, and perfectly peanut-buttery – a must-make recipe of mine if you’ve never tried it!
Vanilla Fig Protein Balls
If you’re a fan of Fig Newtons, you’ll love these homemade fig bites! They taste just like them, but without the refined sugar and without any baking.
You just toss the ingredients into a food processor and whirl away, then roll the mixture into balls! It’s a delicious combination of dried figs, nuts, flax, and vanilla.
Whipped Ricotta Toast
Creamy whipped ricotta spread on toast with your favorite toppings – what could be better?!
This is a super quick and easy snack to make, and the only cooking involved is toasting a slice of bread. Sign me up!
The blog post includes 6 different flavor variation ideas, including tomato basil, strawberry balsamic, and savory avocado – something for every mood!
Cherry Almond Protein Snack Bites
These little no bake snack balls taste like deliciously tart cherry pie! They’re made with dried cherries, walnuts, and almonds, and are a perfect lightly sweet snack.
They’re great portable snacks, too – they stick together well and won’t make a mess in your car!
Mango Chia Pudding
Creamy chia pudding is delicious on its own, but the addition of bright mango elevates it even more! This dairy free, gluten free, and vegan snack only takes a few minutes to prepare.
Just place it in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) so the chia seeds get soft and the flavors come together! Plus, chia seeds are nutrient powerhouses – they’re a great way to add protein and fiber to your daily diet.
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Power Cookies
Behold my favorite healthier power cookies! They’re packed with oats, raisins, almond flour, ground flaxseed, and peanut buttery flavor. They’re lightly sweetened with maple syrup to add just the right touch of sweetness.
They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you full and energized at the same time. They make an awesome filling snack, and sometimes I even eat them for a quick and easy on the go breakfast. 😉
Chocolate Cashew Snack Balls
Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you! These no bake date balls feature cocoa powder, shredded coconut, and cashews for a perfectly sweet – yet nutritious – snack.
These come together in minutes, with just 5 essential ingredients. All you need is a food processor!
Red Lentil Granola Bars
These granola bars have a unique twist: they’re made with red lentils! I know that might sound a little strange at first, but I promise they’re yummy – the blog comments on the post can attest to that!
They are made with almond butter, dried cherries, walnuts, and maple syrup for sweetness, and whole wheat flour and flax add even more staying power and nutrients.
Plus, you can switch up the mix-ins (different nuts, dried fruit or chocolate, etc.) any way you like!
I hope you enjoy these high protein vegetarian snacks. I know I love having them prepped for when the snack cravings strike!
What’s your favorite protein-packed snack? Let me know in the comments!
